GIRLS SOCCER

PRESEASON TOP 10

1 Capistrano Valley: Division I runner-up returns 9 starters.

2 Santa Margarita: Young Eagles shoot for three-peat.

3 Woodbridge: Schick leads veteran group.

4 Mater Dei: Injury-riddled group still strong.

5 University: Heavy favorite to win PCL title.

6 Marina: Summer league title boosts confidence.

7 El Toro: Looking to go past first round.

8 Huntington Beach: Should challenge Marina in Sunset.

9 Mission Viejo: Repeat performance will be tough.

10 San Clemente: Junior talent among county’s best.

Players to Watch

* Megan Abbamonto, Capistrano Valley, defender, Jr.

* Jenny Anderson, Santa Margarita, forward, So.

* Jenni Branam, El Dorado, goalkeeper, Sr.

* Ashley Clift, El Modena, midfielder, Jr.

* Hannah Cochran, Mission Viejo, goalkeeper, Sr.

* Ember Crouch, Marina, midfielder, Sr.

* Blyth Curran, Huntington Beach, goalkeeper, Sr.

* Alison Fennell, Mater Dei, forward, Sr.

* Brooke Flamson, Newport Harbor, defender, Sr.

* Lindsay Greco, Capistrano Valley, forward, Jr.

* Lauren Orlandos, El Toro, defender, Sr.

* Erica Perotta, Santa Margarita, midfielder, Sr.

* Kaley Picket, University, midfielder, Sr.

* Allyson Marquand, University, defender, Sr.

* Laura Riegler, Marina, forward, Jr.

* Katie Rivera, Santa Margarita, forward, Fr.

* Lauren Schick, Woodbridge, midfielder, Jr.

* Emily Schwimmer, Woodbridge, midfielder, Jr.

* Tracy Walla, San Clemente, midfielder, Jr.

* Tracey Winzen, Mater Dei, midfielder, Sr.

League Favorites

Century: Canyon; Empire: El Dorado; Freeway: Sunny Hills; Garden Grove: Pacifica; Golden West: Ocean View; Olympic: Calvary Chapel; Orange: Brea Olinda; Pacific Coast: University; Sea View: Santa Margarita; South Coast: Capistrano Valley; Sunset: Marina.

Key Dates

Dec. 28-30, Excalibur tournament at Foothill High; Dec. 28-31, Ocean View tournament; Feb. 17, 19, 23, 25; March 2, Southern Section playoffs.

1998 Final Poll

1. Capistrano Valley; 2. Mission Viejo; 3. Edison; 4. Santa Margarita; 5. Mater Dei; 6. Los Alamitos; 7. Esperanza; 8. University; 9. Canyon; 10. Woodbridge.

Notes

Mater Dei has been devastated by off-season knee injuries. Senior midfielder Tracey Winzen, who has signed with UCLA, tore an anterior cruciate ligament playing with her club team, but is expected back by the time league play begins. Junior sweeper Kelsei Ganshert has a torn ACL and might be out for the season. Sophomore midfielder Nicole Rothwell, who tore her left ACL after tearing her right ACL the year before, is hoping to be back by the time league play begins. Rachel Svoboda, a senior stopper, sprained her medial collateral ligament and is out for at least a month. “I have no idea why us,” Mater Dei Coach Austin Sharp said. . . . Canyon returns seven starters from its Century League championship team. The Comanches will be helped by junior midfielder Leah Dawson and junior defender Patricia Romano, who transferred from Villa Park and Esperanza, and senior forward Kimberly Mallory, who missed most of last season with torn ligaments in her right ankle. . . San Clemente hadn’t won a South Coast League game in 10 years until last season. But with eight starters back--including all-league forward Alison Halpern (15 goals, nine assists) and all-league midfielder Tracy Walla--the Tritons should qualify for their first playoff appearance. . . . Jenni Branam, the Empire League’s MVP last year for El Dorado, had shoulder surgery last month and will miss about half the season.